CD44 and colorectal carcinoma: Ectopic expression of c-Kit in CRC lines enhanced the expression of numerous markers of stemness, which was in agreement with an association of elevated c-Kit expression in primary CRC tumors and the expression of stemness markers, such as OLFM4, LGR5, BMI-1 and CD44, whereas ectopic expression of miR-34 significantly reduced the expression of CD44, Lgr5 and BMI-1.